Great Smoky Mountain National Park

 Hen Wallow Falls

*Currently Closed due to Helene damage

    This is a moderate 4.25 mile trail that leads to a waterfall.  You need to park at the Cosby Campground to access this trail - at least the 4 mile one.  Make note of where your GPS routes you.  When we went, we took the Gabes Mountain Trail, which is the correct trial - however, we were at the wrong end...we could have gotten there, but it would have taken about 7 miles.  So, we turned around and drove to the campground and hiked the other end of the trail to the falls.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

 Midnight Hole, Mouse Creek Falls

    This trail is on the North Carolina side of the Smokies.  It is an easy 4 mile hike and a very popular swimming hole.  At Midnight Hole which is about a mile in, people bring picnics and even coolers and lawn chairs to set up for the day.  If possible, I would try to go during the week if you want to avoid crowds.  The water is icy, but it's also very popular for jumping off the large boulders into the water.  If you continue up the trail, you don't pass quite the number of people and you may even have Mouse Creek Falls to yourself.  

Erwin, TN

 Rock Creek Falls

        This is a moderate to hard hike because of the elevation gained.  It has been a few years since we have been here and I would love to go back and see if it is really as intense as it seemed at the time.  I think if the weather was cooler, it would be a bit easier.  Anyway.....This is about a 4 - 4.5 mile hike, depending on where you have to park.  When we went, the campground was closed, so we had to park a little ways out and hike walk into the trailhead.  There is a fee for parking, so bring a few dollars with you.  This hike is uphill most of the way, so bring lots of water also.  Make sure you go to the end of the trail to see the falls.  There are a couple of small ones on the hike in, so you don't want to miss it.

Pisgah National Forest - Balsam Grove

 Courthouse Falls

    This is a short, easy hike just around 2 miles roundtrip - IF the road to the trailhead is open.  This is one that has seasonal closures and I've seen where it is even been washed out more due to the Helene storm.  But, you can still park at the gate and hike in.  The road in is a pretty easy walk with some gradual ascent, but adds about 1.25 mile each way.  It is a really pretty falls with lots of places to play in the water.

Pisgah National Forest, NC - Black Balsam

Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain

    The name of this trail is Art Leob and actually leads 30 miles into the Shining Rock Wilderness area.  We only hiked a couple of miles in to Tennent Mountain and a little beyond, then turned around and came back.  This trail is considered moderate, but after you make the initial climbs, it is pretty easy and you have some beautiful views to enjoy.  

    A couple of things to keep in mind - this area can get crowded, but there are a few different trails in the vicinity that you can take.  Be sure and pack some water, especially in the warmer months - since it is a bald, you have very little shade and no water source. 

 

Gatlinburg, TN

 Abrams Falls

    

    Located in Cades Cove, this is a very popular trial.  It's about 5 miles roundtrip and is a moderate hike.  The waterfall isn't very tall, but boasts a good water flow.  There is a lot of rocks to sit and enjoy the area, trees to tie up hammocks and spots to dip your toes in the water.  This is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Smokies because of the surrounding area.  

Dawsonville, Georgia

 Amicalola Falls

    Located in Dawsonville, this is the tallest waterfall in Georgia and claims to be the tallest cascading falls east of the Mississippi (there are lots that claim to be the tallest - so you have to look at the category).  It's close to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail and on clear days you can see the Atlanta skyline in the distance.  There is a paved trail that goes right by the falls and close to 650 stairs that go down to the bottom of the falls.  It is absolutely beautiful and totally worth it - just bring water and pace yourself.  The good news is though, is that there are several spots along the way to view the falls and you absolutely don't have to go all the way to the bottom to be able to appreciate the beauty of the falls.

Gatlinburg, TN

 Twin Creeks Trail/Fairy House

This trail starts just outside Gatlinburg and winds close to the Motor Nature Trail.  

Parking: There are several options for parking - You can park at Mynatt and walk just a little ways up the road, which will put you at the very beginning of the trail. There is a single parking place there, if it's available.  There are also several places along the Motor Nature Trail where you can pull off, park and hike any section for as long as you want.  

Trail: From beginning to the the loop end and back is about 6.5 miles.  The first part of the trail is fairly easy and not all that spectacular, but it's nice because it is not a super popular trail so you don't see the amount of people that you might encounter on other trails in the Smokies.  The loop part of the trail would be considered moderate because it is very rocky and has several stream crossings.  But there are two abandoned cabins along the trail and a smaller building near the creek.  That is another advantage of the trail....much of it follows the creek and offers several small side trails that you can get down to the creek.  

Fairy House:  The old spring house or "house of fairies" was the reason that I wanted to hike this trail.  Several of the descriptions made it sound very hidden and almost an off trail adventure.  However, after finding it, it is quite easy and you don't even have to hike to see it, but why wouldn't you?  

To get there by hiking, take the beginning of the Twin Creeks Trail until it crosses a paved road near the Resource Center.  Take the road around the back of the building and follow it til you see the log buildings.  The Fairy House is set in the hillside behind the first log building.  There is a grassy field and a path that leads beside the chain link fence up the stone stairs.  

To get there by driving, take the Nature Motor Trail until you find the side paved road on the right, there is a small parking area there and then you can walk the rest of the way.